A/N: I have to admit that this is on of the longest chapters so far in this story and that is to make up for such a long wait. I have no excuses this time but I promise you the wait is well worth it. I hope! X0
Previously...
I sat down and placed my purse on the desk.
"Is it true," she finally voiced. I bent over to booth my computer.
"Is what true," I acting as nonchantly as I could.
"That you went to Edwards house for Thanksgiving," She snapped very unpleased that I was hardly paying her any mind.
Serves her right because what I did or where I went this weekend was of none of her concern.
I sighed as I sat up. "Does it matter?" To be honest this little game of ours was getting old. I couldn't be seen walking in the same hall as Edward before one of them, Lauren or Jessica were at my throat.
"Yes!" He slammed against my desk, and I jerked back.
"How is it that you were at Edwards house this weekend,"
"She was invited," we both turned to the voice and found Edward standing there. I could help but smile. He wasn't wearing his usual suit and tie, but a regular white bottom up shirt that wasn't buttoned all the way and black slacks. Pretty casual if you asked me but he owned the place so he could dress however her wanted. My heart did a couple flips when his gaze caught mine and he smiled. Then he turned back to Jessica, who was blushing from head to toe.
"The truth of the matter, not that I believe Bella owes you any explanation is that my sister happens to be her best friend. I only learned of this recently myself. It was her who invited Bella to our home this weekend. Does that make it clear to you,"
Jessica couldn't even make eye contact but I could blame her even though I was strongly fighting the urge to laugh for my seat.
"If you have any problem with that, then take it up with my sister." Jessica only nodded and quickly made her escape. I had a sigh of relief and turned back to Edward. He smiled.
Chapter Twenty Five
A week passed and the weather in December was becoming quite fridge. Alice's fashion show had been a unbelievable success as I knew it would be and her clothes were flying off the racks. Most everything had gone back to normal except the pounding in my chest every time I saw Edward. It never mattered what I was doing or where I was. It happened even when I knocked on his door one afternoon, his dry cleaning in my hands.
"Sorry to disturb you," I stated, " but I got your dry cleaning and I have that statement I need you to sign." It was cold and wet out side, which meant I was cold and wet. It had rained all week and I hadn't seen the sun in days. But because it wasn't quite cold enough for it to snow we were stuck with rain and a heavy over cast.
He stepped aside to let me in grinning like a goof. I turned my eyes toward the ceiling. I wasn't planning to stay long. If I kept it under ten minutes then I might make it home to watch the True Blood re-run. Edward was still wearing the grey suit he'd worn to work which meant he'd only gotten here a moment ago. He took the plastic wrapped clothes from me and went into his bedroom. I didn't dear set foot in there again too afraid to encounter what had happened the first time. I could still see his glistening body in my mind. I stopped myself and sat my keys and purse down. I had a piece of paper that I needed him to sign if I was going to run it over to Mathison's in the morning. He was going to be out of the building all day working with his mother on her new hotel plans. I was suppose to have dinner with her before she went back north.
"Now what is it that you needed." He exited his room, his jacket removed and he was in the process of rolling up his sleeves. I had to talk my self out of staring at him. I pulled the file from my leather binder and opened it to him. After explaining to him my plans he signed the document.
"Is that it?" He asked with another grin. I ignored it and gathered my things.
"Yes that's all for now." He began to follow me to the door, but I stopped him.
"I'll just let my self out."
"Alright then. Good evening, Ms. Swan."
I blushed for no apparent reason but nodded and left. Glancing at my watch, I was relieved to find that I wouldn't be forced to miss the beginning of my show like I recently had too. So with out fear I rushed out into the rain, trying in vain to keep myself as dry as possible with my bag over my head. I rushed to the curb to catch a cab, but was much too hastey and should have seen what would happen next. A car driving way too fast, sped through a large puddle just as I opened my mouth to yell for a taxi, completely drenching me from head to toe. And as I stood frozen with my hand still above my head a picture of my keys laying on the side table in Edwards apartment flashed in my head. My body finally relaxed as I turned back toward the building.
Edwards POV
I flipped on the television like I always did when I was about to prepare dinner when I heard the door bell ring. I wasn't expecting anyone but Alice never made an appointment. I flung the remote on the couch and crossed the room swinging open the door. But instead of my sister, Bella stood before me shivering, completely soaked from head to toe. Her hair was clinging to her and she greatly resembled a drowned cat. I couldn't help but snicker.
"Bella what happened to you?" I didn't really have to ask as I was pretty sure of what had taken place in the last five minutes.
"Sooorrryy tooo boootthheer yoouu," Her teeth chattered together in the cutest way. "Buutt Iiii forgot mmy keeysss."
"Forget your keys, you should come in and get dry," I stepped aside to let her in.
"Nooo Iii ddonnttt waanntt ttoo meesss uuppp youurr carrrppeet." I rolled my eyes and pulled her in just enough to close the door behind her. I turned around to where she'd set her keys down and went to them. I could hearher strained breath. As her boss and friend I shouldn't allow her to go home in this state. It was flu season and Bella looked like she got sick easily.
"You know you should really get out of those clothes." and even though I couldn't see her face I could picture it in my mind. It made me smile.
"No thanks, I just need to get home." She sounded like she was warming up a bit.
I grabbed her keys and twisted back to her.
"But you might get sick." I grinned.
"It's okay." I moved slowly towards her. I loved how her cheeks brightened when I voiced how concerned I was for her.
"I can't have a sick assistant." I stopped a mere foot from her. She had to tilt her head up to look at me.
"I have a few sick days I need to use," she almost smiled. I held out her keys.
"Stay." I stated. I wanted her too and even though things were about to get really childish, I knew that she'd give in eventually.
"No," She reached for her keys and I pulled up out of her reach and again spoke.
"Stay," She eyed me curiously, her brows pulling together wondering if I was pretending or if was I being for real.
"I can't," she said reaching for them again but I was much to tall for her.
"Nope you can't have these until you agree to stay. At least until your clothes have been cleaned."
"Edward give me my keys," She jumped up and I felt her chest brush against me briefly. Instantly I felt a heat grow inside of me but I had to push it to the back of my mind before they got out of control.
"Not until you agree," I chuckled flashing her a smile. She pulled back, placed her hands on her hips, a first for her and sighed.
"Fine," She threw up an arm.
I dropped my arm and placed the key ring in my pocket. "See, isn't easier just to do it my way." I turned towards my room, but I heard her mumble something under her breath. It didn't sound nice and this only made me laugh.
Bella still didn't look pleased seating on a bar stool as I worked in the kitchen. She did look rather cute wearing my over sized t-shirt and a pair of my pajama pants. She'd also removed her make up and I wondered why she even bothered. She looked perfect with out it. I couldn't stop myself from smiling as I cut strips of chicken up into smaller bits.
"You know, this could be seen as kidnapping." I heard her say. I could see her face out of the corner of my eye. I chuckled to myself.
"No one's holding you prisoner." I replied, finished with the cutting, getting ready to start heating the oil.
"Last time I checked I wanted to go home," she frowned.
"And you will," I announced. "Once your clothes are ready." She had no idea that I told the women who I called to get her things that there was no rush, but I needed them by the end of the day. I wouldn't push her, or myself as a matter of fact.
She sat in silence, her face still turned down. I was beginning to think that she really didn't like me when I did this to her. Or maybe she just reallly hated being manipulated.
Which I admit I had done. I turned my back to her, to drain the noodles in the sink when I heard a loud gasp and a flutter of papers. I turned to see her fly out of the stool.
"Sorry," she stated, her face going into the first shade of pink. Could I ever get use to that? I shook my head and turned back to what I was doing.
"Were you born this clumsy or is it a learned habit?" I asked, grinning as I did. I could feel her sharp eyes on the back of my head.
"I'm not really sure at this point," she said gathering all the papers and climbing back into her seat.
I was making Chicken Basil Pasta. I rather easy dish and I was glad that I would get to share it with Bella. I wasn't use to cooking for anyone besides my family, and I had hardly prepare a meal for any of my ex-girlfriends. Mainly because most of them thought food was a crime and stayed away from it.
"Sorry," she apologized again straightening my mail.
"Uh- your going to a ball?" I glanced up at the her and saw that she was holding an invitation in her hand.
"Yeah," I answered.
She flipped the paper over so she could read it.
"I didn't know they still had those." Her brow was drawn together in the cutest way.
"It's not what you think. It's a charity event. It's just another event where a bunch of rich people go to be seen." I sighed at the reality and that I would be there once again this year.
"And you have a problem with this because..." she eyed me.
I shurgged.
"But you're going?"
"Yes, it's actually for a good cause."
I was starting to set the table. I frown at the memory of last year and the year before.
"By the look on your face, you don't really want to go,"
"Of course not, but in order to donate you have to attend. Besides there are a lot of potential clients attending as well." Suddenly a thought crossed my mind and I wondered why I hadn't thought about it before. I glanced up at her and she was still staring at the invitation. I knew I would get my way.
"It would be better if I had someone to go with," I added as nonchalantly as I could. I was hoping that she would get my hint, that her face would turn red with embarrassment not only because of the joy I got when she did but so she'd at least get the idea of how much I actually liked her. However I had no such luck.
Her face remained as pale as it normally did, and she didn't even comment.
I sighed. I was going to have go the extra mile which I didn't practically mind with Bella.
"Bella I was asking you if you wanted go with me," I smiled. Her head snapped up and her eyes widen with surprised. Her mouth opened but no sound came and I wondered if I had surprised her so much to point of speechlessness.
"WHAT? Me?" she finally spat out pointing to herself. I chuckled. What was it about this girl that made me feel like I was living on cloud nine.
"Yes you!" I answered. "Is there someone else in the room?" I glanced around comically.
"No but… you must…I mean… me really?"
I nodded putting the fork to my lips.
"Why not? I think you could keep me entertained for one night!" I gave a slanted grin.
"Ha ha very funny," She finally began to relax. My joke had worked then.
"But I'm serious Bella. I'm asking you to come with me." I realized that this wasn't really the best way i'd asked a women out but Bella wasn't like most women. Her brain didn't run on the same wave length.
"But why me? I'm sure you have someone special you'd like to take."
"You are special to me Bella," Her face finally turned red. "And no, there isn't any one else." I worded it that way because I remembered Alice mentioning to my mother that Bella had been wondering if I was seeing someone. I wasn't and hadn't in the last seven months.
"I don't know," she stated, shuffling her food around the half empty plate. I was beginning to realize that this particular subject was going to take a little bit more effort on my part. I had never actually tired to use my charm and good looks to persuade a person, never had too but this called for the extreme. I wasn't going to go if I couldn't go with her. Then something clicked in my head. Instead of seduction, I thought of something that would work better in this situation.
"Then I'm not going," I picked up my glass of wine and pressed it to my lips, keeping my eyes off of her.
"What? Why?" she asked.
"Because you don't want to go with me." It was hard trying to keep from smiling.
"Edward, it's not that I don't want to go with you it's just…" I waited for her to continue.
"It's just that I'm not good in places like that. You of all people know what I'm like when I'm nervous. I might embarrass you. No I'm pretty sure I will." I stopped to take in what she was saying. She wanted to go with me but thought that she'd be an embarrassment to me. On the contour, I wanted her to come so that I wasn't' force to stand in the corner surrounded by more self centered females who thought that I would be the perfect accessory to their long list of good looking, powerful sexual partners.
"Bella I didn't ask you to come with me because I want you to fit in, I asked you to come because you don't. I want you to come because I want you to come. Because you are the one I want to go with. If that's so hard to believe maybe you need you see yourself the way I see you," I turned back to my plate, my mind racing and my heart beating out of my chest. I galnced up at her then ane knew I would get the answer I so desperately craved.
*End Edwards POV*
It was just after lunch and I was in the zone, typing away when I heard my cell phone ring. Shit, I forgot to turn in on vibrate. I fumbled through my purse to find it. At first I thought it was Alice but then I remember what she said last night. She would be in the studio for the entire day and she barely eat in there much less made a phone call. Glancing at the clock I wondered who was calling me so early. I pressed the Send button to answer the call.
"Hello,"
"Bella, It's Esme,"
Esme, As in Edward and Alice's mother Esme, I thought. Why was she calling me. Wasn't she suppose to be with Edward right now?
"Oh hey Esme, how's everything going?," I asked alittle curious as to why Edwards mother was calling me.
"Everything's going great. How are you? Is Edward behaving himself." I could hear the distraction in her voice.
"Um...yeah. I don't want to sound rude but was there something I could do for you,"
" Um… I wouldn't normally ask you this but I'm caught up here at the hotel and Alice isn't picking up her phone but I was wondering," she hesitant for a moment.
"If you could check on Edward for me."
Edward!
"Edward!" I perked up. "Isn't he with you?" I asked starting to get concerned. Mr. Cullen didn't strike me as someone who would ditch his mother.
"Well the thing is," She began. "He called me earlier and cancelled. Now that's not like him and he didn't sound too good on the phone. I was just hoping you could run over there and check on him for me. Make sure everything's okay."
"Of course," I answered, getting my things together.
"I don't want to inconvenience you," She voiced.
"You aren't. I'll head over there right now. I'll call you back when I get there, okay?" I pressed the down button to the elevator. It dinged open.
"Thanks Bella."
What could have possible made Mr. Cullen cancel on Esme? He looked fine yesterday. It took a little over twenty minutes to get to his place. I knocked on his door but there was no answer. I could feel my pulse rising with worry. I knocked harder the next time and suddenly the door creaked open just enough so that I could see half of Edwards face.
"Yeah,"
Edward looked horrible, dark circles under his eyes, his skin pale and clammy. He sounded even worst than he looked.
"Edward, are you okay?" I asked even though to was clear that he wasn't.
"I'm fine," he answered just has he fell into a fit of coughs that sounded as if a lung would come falling out anytime soon. He wondered away weary leaving me to close the door behind him.
"You don't look fine," I stated dropping my purse and coat near the door. He had already made his way back to his couch were he fell into he makeshift bed. Why was it that when guys are sick they'd rather sleep on the couch than in their beds. My father was the same way.
I knelt down next to him and touched my hand to his forehead. He was on fire. It was a miracle that he'd gotten up at all. There was a box of Kleenex on the coffee table and a trash can next to his head.
"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be at work?" He said, but it was more like a whisper because his voice was hoarse.
"I came here to check on you, via your mother. And good thing I did. You would have probably dead here alone if I hadn't," I smiled. He turned to smiled but it looked like it hurt him to do so.
"Why didn't you tell anyone you were sick? Your mother's so worried about you."
"She's always worried, besides I feel fine." he murmured.
I raised an eye brow and place both hands on my hips.
"Fine," he coughed. "I'm sick."
"Was that so hard to admit?" I voiced getting to my feet. I called Esme back and explained to her that Edward was okay but I was going to stay and take care of him. She thanked me and said that she would come by as soon as she could. I told her not to rush, that I would take good care of him.
"You don't have to do this you know," He stated as I lifted his legs onto the couch so that he could lay down on the pillow I'd gotten from his room.
"I know," I grinned. "But this counts as over time," He chuckled weakly. Never in a million years would I have thought that I, Bella Swan could witness a site like a sick, weak and extremely vulnerable Edward Cullen. If I took a few photos I wondered how much they would sell for. I'd probably be a millionaire before the week was out.
"You seem a little too happy seeing me like this," he spoke softly. I snapped a blanket over him. I hadn't even realized I was smiling until he'd pointed it out.
"I wouldn't quite call it happy," I snickered.
"Now be a good boy while a get you something to eat." I left him staring at the television. He wouldn't last long, his eyes were already drooping so I wanted to hurry and get something in his stomach so that he could take his medicine to help bring down his fever. When I'd taken his temperature with a thermometer that I'd found under the sink in his bathroom it was almost a hundred and three. A few more degrees and things were going to get messy.
I made him homemade chicken noodle soup using the left over chicken strips from yesterday to flavor the broth. It was still steaming when I placed in on a black tray along with a cup of lemon tea. He'd have to sweat out the fever, and the cool wet cloth on his head should help draw it out.
"Here we go," I stated knelling down again and placing the tray on the table. I helped him sit up as much as he could and watched him sip on the soup slowly. He had to be the best patient ever, doing what he was told. Maybe it was because he didn't know what to do although he was closer to being a doctor than I would ever be. After finishing half of his soup and taking his medicine I watched as his eyes been to close.
As I changed the now warm rag on his forehead, he stared at me though drowsy eyes. I tryed to act like I didn't notice but I wondered what he saw when he looked at me. I wasn't like him or Alice, and nothing like Rosalie or Tanya.
"Thank you," His thanks actually surprised mainly because I had surprised myself. I was good at taking care of other people. My mom, my dad, but this was different. My mother needed me to keep her sane, and my dad needed me to keep him company. Edward on the other hand didn't need me. He had it all and maybe I was just forcing myself on him but I couldn't help it. I guess in some small way I wanted Edward to need me too. Replacing the cloth and I smiled down at him.
"You're welcome." He was already asleep and most likely didn't hear me. I leaned back sitting on my legs beneath me to stare at Edwards sleeping face. It was as perfect as it had been in my dreams. He looked so peaceful, and his slightly parted lips were so mesmerizing. I wondered if he understood, really understood the effect he had on, not just me but everyone. Every time I saw him I fell for him more. But it wasn't a scary type of fall like I had thought at first. It was one of those that you literally ran to cliff because you couldn't wait to leap off the edge.
With my heart overflowing, and not understanding what came over me, I leaned forward and pressed my lips slowly to his. It only lasted a few seconds before I was on my feet. I touched my lips dazed and confused as to what had just happened.
Had I really just kissed Edward? And had he been asleep?
I gasped when I realize what had just taken place.
I'd just raped Edward Cullen.
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